Illness left little Ellis fighting for his life

The family of a 10-year-old Portadown boy who almost lost his life to a devastating brain condition are adding their support to a global campaign to make people aware of the illness.
Ellis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle McgaffinEllis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle Mcgaffin
Ellis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle Mcgaffin

Ellis Mcgaffin is one of 500,000 adults and children who are affected by encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, each year.

His parents want to educate others about the little-known condition following World Encephalitis Day which took place on Thursday, February 22.

“Ellis was two-years-old when he was rushed to A&E with what was believed to be meningitis,” said mum Leanne.

Ellis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle McgaffinEllis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle Mcgaffin
Ellis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle Mcgaffin

“Thankfully, the quick-thinking of a junior doctor saved Ellis’ life as he suspected viral encephalitis and treated him for it.”

Ellis spent three weeks in the hospital battling infections and undergoing treatment to reduce the swelling of his brain with a further month of home visits from community nurses.

But even then, his journey of recovery following encephalitis was only just beginning.

Leanne said: “I don’t think anyone could have prepared us for the road ahead and the implications the damage caused by the encephalitis has had on Ellis.

Ellis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle McgaffinEllis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle Mcgaffin
Ellis Mcgaffin and mum and dad, Leanne and Kyle Mcgaffin

He has been left with an acquired brain injury and although he survived, he has struggles every day with muscle weakness, tiredness, headaches, heightened hearing, a lack of concentration and of safety awareness

She added: “It was a lonely road as we knew little about the illness and didn’t know anybody else who had come into contact with it.

“There is still a lack of awareness out there and education is definitely needed in how to cope with the life-long complications associated with this disease which is why we supported World Encephalitis Day on Thursday, February 22.”

Led by The Encephalitis Society, the fifth annual World Encephalitis Day asked people to wear something red to raise awareness of the condition.

The charity has also recruited members like Ellis and his family to take part in BrainWalk, their 2018 signature campaign, a virtual walk of 52 million steps around the world designed to raise global awareness of the condition, keep the brain and body healthy and reduce isolation and loneliness among those affected by the condition.

Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of the Encephalitis Society, said: “One person every minute will be struck down by encephalitis in 2018, irrespective of their age, gender or the country in which they live.

“This devastating condition has a high death rate while those who survive can be left with an acquired brain injury resulting in epilepsy, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, problems with memory and personality.

“And yet statistics reveal that eight out of 10 people do not know what encephalitis is – a truly startling figure which we are striving to improve through campaigns such as BrainWalk and World Encephalitis Day.”